By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter
The tremors that triggered panic in Doha on Tuesday were a “good lesson” for everybody to become aware of safety protocols and highlighted the need for better training of staff in highrise buildings, Qatar Red Crescent Society Secretary General Saleh Ali M al-Muhanadi said yesterday. |
In an interview held on the sidelines of the concluding session of the disaster management training camp organised by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) at Marine Scout Camp in Al Khor, al-Muhanadi said: “What happened on Tuesday shows there is no place far away from (a) disaster. We should be prepared at all times.”
“Actually, yesterday (Tuesday) was a good lesson,” he said. Explaining what he meant, the senior official said the mild tremors highlighted the fact that most highrises in the city had not marked out an assembly or meeting point for people to gather there as quickly as possible in the event of a disaster.
“People in the buildings did not know where the assembly points were. This is very important because an assembly point is supposed to be far away from any danger, one which protects people after they come out of the building,” he said.
On Tuesday, most people stood between highrises, exposing themselves to a greater danger. Moreover, lifts were used. “People used lifts to leave the buildings, which they are not supposed to use during earthquakes.”
He advised the managers of various highrise buildings in Doha to further train their staff and carry out evacuation drills. “Every building is supposed to have a system that guides you to the right way. It should have somebody in charge of security and preparedness. They should train their personnel. Qatar Red Crescent is ready to help, contact us and we can give information on how to deal with such situations.”
Speaking on the importance of holding disaster management exercises, al-Muhanadi said the main duty of the QRC was to prepare the society and community for a disaster.
Also, such exercises highlight the importance of co-operation between various governmental and civil society organisations. “Definitely, we are ready to deal with all kinds of natural disasters, including earthquakes. But you know, Qatar Red Crescent by itself is not enough. You need all the concerned (governmental or non-governmental bodies). Such training camps are actually critical to prepare everyone.”
The concluding ceremony included a hypothetical disaster scenario in which the QRC, Civil Defence personnel and Qatari Emiri forces participated. Women volunteers also took part in the training that began on April 1 and ended yesterday.
One of the four Qatari lady volunteers who participated in the exercise, Fatima al-Kuwari, said it was very important - especially for Qatari women - to take part in such drills.
“This is the first time I have participated here as a volunteer. I will say to all of my family, friends to join the QRC camps. This is very important. We are Qataris and need to be here. The QRC needs more Qatari people... ladies, in particular, should come forward because a lot of women and children are affected by disasters. Women can play a major role,” she said.
The disaster management training camp was held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.
QRC Chairman Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Maadheed, who is also Vice-President of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, was present on the occasion.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force was represented by Col Nasir Saleh Boghnaim. Prince Talal bin Bandar al-Saud, who is deputy at the GCC secretariat for environment and security, also witnessed the drill, which included a certificate- distribution ceremony for the volunteers.